Facility dogs in UK courtrooms: Public perspective
Journal article
Dempster, Tammy, Spruin, Liz and Mozova, Katarina 2022. Facility dogs in UK courtrooms: Public perspective. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice. 24 (3), pp. 314-337. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2022.2133662
Authors | Dempster, Tammy, Spruin, Liz and Mozova, Katarina |
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Abstract | This study aimed to investigate how members of the UK public would feel about introducing facility dogs to UK courts as a form of special measure. The results from an online survey showed that participants (n = 270) thought they would be significantly less likely to feel anxious, intimidated, distressed, frightened, and traumatized, and significantly more likely to feel safe if accompanied by a facility dog. Both dog owners and non-dog owners were overwhelmingly supportive of the incorporation of facility dogs into the justice system, and thematic analysis of their qualitative responses revealed four main themes: calming, comforting, testimony improvement, and the dog as a distraction. The only concern participants showed was whether the dogs would influence jurors’ perceptions of the witness and, therefore, potentially the defendant. Overall, the study demonstrates overwhelming support for this innovative service in UK courtrooms, although further research on the effect on jurors is recommended. |
Keywords | Facility dogs; UK courts; Survivor-oriented justice; Special measures; Witness testimony |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice |
Journal citation | 24 (3), pp. 314-337 |
Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
ISSN | 2473-2850 |
2473-2842 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2022.2133662 |
Official URL | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/24732850.2022.2133662 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 12 Oct 2022 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 26 Oct 2022 |
Accepted | 05 Oct 2022 |
Accepted author manuscript | License |
Output status | Published |
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/92yv8/facility-dogs-in-uk-courtrooms-public-perspective
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